What's the difference between a lawyer and paralegal?

The most significant difference between lawyers and paralegals is that lawyers can set fees and give legal advice. If a paralegal does these, he would be in violation of unauthorized practice of law statutes. Of course, an attorney’s primary responsibility is offering legal advice to clients. The paralegal’s responsibility is to then carry out the tasks which result from the lawyer’s analysis and strategy.

Paralegals may be trained on the job or through an accredited college or university. He may simply receive a certificate in Paralegal Studies—or be awarded an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies. There are even a few Master’s degree programs for paralegals.